Have you ever been on the sports field or court wondering what you would do if an injury struck? Sports injury training is a program designed to help athletes prevent injuries while they are playing their sport. Our sports medicine doctors are dedicated to helping you reduce your risk of experiencing some of the most common sports-related injuries we see at South Shore Orthopedics.
We encourage you to follow these guidelines to keep yourself injury-free. If you have questions regarding sports injury training, please call and speak with one of our medical professionals for further insight.
Learning More About Sports Injury Training
Begin Your Training Slowly
Sudden training duration and intensity changes can increase the risk of sports injuries. We encourage athletes to train slowly by conditioning before the official sports season begins. Conditioning is a warm-up period that can warm up an athlete’s body and prepare them for sporting events in the future. If athletes are pushed into rigorous training and sports after a period of inactivity, they may quickly injure themselves with sprains, strains, or other soft-tissue injuries. Sports injury training avoids the problem before it happens.
Maintain A Healthy Diet
Athletes should not overlook the importance of a nutritious, well-balanced diet. We educate athletes on what foods they should eat, how they can control their portion sizes, and what foods they should avoid. With our nutritional guidance, athletes can strengthen their bodies and reduce their risk of injury as a result.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is just as vital as eating healthy. Athletes should get into the habit of always keeping a water bottle by their side and drinking from it often. Every person should get the correct amount of water daily; athletes lose this even faster when sweating. Hydration can help them avoid fatigue, muscle cramps, dizziness, and other uncomfortable symptoms. This is essential in sports injury training.
Always Wear Protective Equipment
Hence its name, protective equipment, is designed to protect athletes. Athletes should refrain from playing without wearing properly fitted gear and equipment such as helmets, mouth guards, pads, and eye protectors. This varies by sport and is essential for every athlete to understand. For example, soccer players should always ensure they have their shin and mouth guards to remain injury free. Another example is knee pads for volleyball players, as they fall on the court often.
Recognize When To Take A Break
Oftentimes, injuries arise because athletes don’t listen to their bodies. The providers at South Shore Orthopedics stress the importance of athletes listening to their bodies in sports injury training. While it’s essential for them to maximize their athletic performance, overdoing it can lead to severe injuries and keep them out of the game. Many athletes want to keep training and pushing even if they’re tired or sore. But your body gives you signs of when it’s time to rest.
Plan Rest and Recovery Days
Athletes should dedicate at least one day each week to rest and recovery. This way, their muscles can relax and give their muscles, nerves, bones, and connective tissue time to rebuild. While practicing or playing daily can be tempting, your body needs that time to reset and heal. Taking a break can help you avoid injury.
Contact South Shore Orthopedics
Remembering injuries may still arise even if you adhere to these guidelines is essential. If you experience a sports injury, you can count on the providers at South Shore Orthopedics to treat you. Have you recently been injured while playing your sport? It may be time for sports injury training.
We have a team of expert physicians who specialize in a wide range of orthopedic surgical specialties. Our providers and staff members are committed to helping our patients live their most active lives. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (781) 337-5555 or look into our appointment request form.